Chicken And Waffles Recipe

Picture golden-brown chicken nestled against crisp, steaming waffles, a classic soul food masterpiece waiting to transform your kitchen. You're about to embark on a culinary journey that'll elevate your weekend brunch game. This iconic dish isn't just a meal—it's a cultural celebration of flavor and tradition. Are you ready to learn the secrets behind creating the perfect chicken and waffles that'll have your friends begging for the recipe?

Recipe Highlights

• Marinate bone-in chicken thighs in buttermilk for 2-24 hours to ensure tenderness and juicy flavor for authentic chicken and waffles.
• Create a seasoned flour mixture for dredging chicken, coating thoroughly and frying at 350°F until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Prepare homemade waffles using a preheated waffle iron set to medium-high (375°F), cooking for 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp.
• Plate the dish by placing crispy fried chicken atop a golden waffle and generously drizzling pure maple syrup for the classic sweet-savory combination.
• Trace the dish's rich cultural heritage back to Harlem's jazz scene in the late 1930s, celebrating African American culinary traditions and creativity.

History

Although chicken and waffles might seem like a modern culinary trend, its roots run deep in American food culture, tracing back to the late 1930s in Harlem, New York.

You'll find this dish emerged from the vibrant jazz scene, where musicians craved hearty meals that bridged late-night and early morning dining.

Wells Supper Club became legendary for popularizing the combination, serving musicians like Duke Ellington after their late performances.

The dish beautifully blended Southern soul food traditions with Northern urban culinary innovations, reflecting the complex cultural exchanges of the era.

African American communities embraced chicken and waffles as a celebratory meal, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, symbolic dining experience that represented resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.

Recipe

Chicken and waffles represent a beloved soul food classic that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. This iconic dish transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that delights taste buds with its crispy fried chicken and fluffy golden waffles.

The key to an exceptional chicken and waffles recipe lies in properly marinating the chicken and achieving the perfect crisp on both the meat and waffle. By following these steps, home cooks can recreate a restaurant-quality meal that celebrates Southern comfort food traditions.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
• 2 cups complete waffle mix
• Vegetable oil for frying

Begin by marinating the chicken thighs in buttermilk for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

When ready to cook, heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Mix flour and seasoned salt in a shallow dish, then remove chicken from buttermilk and thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture.

Fry the chicken for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

While the chicken cooks, prepare the waffle batter according to package instructions and cook in a preheated waffle iron until crisp and golden.

Serve the hot, crispy chicken directly over the freshly made waffles.

For the best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked, maintain consistent oil temperature between 350-375°F, and let fried chicken rest on a wire rack to preserve its crispiness.

Serving the dish immediately will guarantee maximum flavor and texture, ensuring a memorable dining experience.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by giving your chicken thighs a luxurious buttermilk bath, letting them marinate and tenderize for a few hours until they're perfectly seasoned.

Next, you'll coat each piece in a seasoned flour mixture, creating a crispy exterior that'll crackle when fried to golden-brown perfection.

Finally, you'll cook your waffles and plate this classic soul food dish, layering the crispy chicken over fluffy, warm waffles for a mouthwatering meal that balances sweet and savory flavors.

Step 1. Marinate Chicken in Buttermilk

When preparing chicken and waffles, marinating the meat in buttermilk is a crucial step that transforms ordinary chicken into a tender, flavorful masterpiece.

You'll want to select bone-in chicken thighs for maximum juiciness and rich flavor. Pour 2 cups of buttermilk into a large, non-reactive container, ensuring each piece of chicken is completely submerged.

Key marinating tips:

• Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours
• Keep temperature below 40°F
• Avoid marinating longer than 24 hours to prevent mushy texture

The buttermilk's acidity breaks down muscle proteins, creating incredibly tender meat.

Its tangy profile also helps the seasoned flour coating adhere perfectly during frying.

Step 2. Dredge Chicken in Seasoned Flour

After letting the chicken bathe in buttermilk's tenderizing embrace, it's time to prepare the seasoned flour coating that'll transform your meat into a crispy masterpiece.

Mix the all-purpose flour and seasoned salt in a shallow, wide dish, creating a uniform dredging station. Remove each buttermilk-soaked chicken thigh, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then methodically coat the meat completely in the seasoned flour mixture.

Key dredging tips:

• Press flour firmly onto chicken surface
• Ensure complete, even coverage
• Shake off excess flour to prevent clumping
• Use one hand for wet ingredients, one for dry to minimize messy hands

Tap each piece gently to remove loose flour, creating a thin, even crust that'll crisp beautifully when fried.

The seasoned flour barrier ensures a golden, crunchy exterior that'll make your chicken irresistibly delicious.

Step 3. Fry Chicken Until Golden Brown

Heat the oil in a deep skillet to a precise 350°F, transforming your stovetop into a golden-brown chicken sanctuary. Carefully lower the dredged chicken thighs into the hot oil, ensuring they're not overcrowded.

You'll want each piece to have plenty of space for even cooking. Watch as the chicken gradually turns a beautiful amber color, listening for the gentle sizzle that signals perfect frying.

• Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F
• Cook for 12-15 minutes total
• Flip chicken once halfway through cooking
• Look for a deep golden-brown exterior

Use tongs to gently turn the chicken, allowing each side to develop a crispy, seasoned crust. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer – you're aiming for 165°F to ensure safe, juicy chicken.

Once golden and cooked through, transfer to a wire rack to preserve that hard-earned crispiness.

Step 4. Cook Waffles in Waffle Iron

Because a perfect waffle requires precision, you'll want to preheat your waffle iron to its recommended setting, typically medium-high or around 375°F.

Pour about 1/2 cup of prepared waffle batter into the center of the preheated iron, using a measuring cup for consistent volume. Close the lid gently but firmly, ensuring batter spreads evenly across the griddle surfaces.

Cooking time varies by waffle iron, but most take 3-4 minutes. Watch for visual cues:

• Steam stops releasing
• Waffle edges turn golden brown
• Indicator light signals doneness

Listen for the subtle sizzle and peek occasionally to prevent burning.

When done, use a fork or silicone spatula to lift the waffle carefully. Transfer to a wire rack in a warm oven to maintain crispness while finishing remaining waffles.

Step 5. Plate and Serve Chicken

When the chicken and waffles are perfectly cooked, you'll want to create an appetizing presentation that showcases the dish's soul food roots.

Center a golden, crispy waffle on a warm plate, positioning the fried chicken confidently atop the waffle's surface. Let the chicken rest slightly askew, allowing its crunchy exterior to remain visible and enticing.

Drizzle pure maple syrup generously across the chicken and waffle, ensuring even coverage. Use about 2-3 tablespoons for optimal flavor balance.

Consider garnishing with:

• Chopped fresh chives
• A light dusting of powdered sugar
• Extra seasoned salt (optional)

Serve immediately while the waffle remains warm and the chicken retains its crisp texture. Your beautiful chicken and waffles are now ready to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

The magic of chicken and waffles lies in its ability to transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

You'll find this dish isn't just about taste, but a celebration of cultural heritage and comfort food. When you master this recipe, you're not simply cooking—you're creating a beloved classic that connects generations.

The key is balancing crisp chicken with fluffy waffles, ensuring each bite delivers maximum flavor. Your attention to details like oil temperature, buttermilk marination, and proper seasoning will elevate this dish from good to exceptional.

Remember that practice makes perfect; don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't restaurant-quality. With patience and technique, you'll soon be serving up a soul food masterpiece that'll have everyone asking for seconds.